Part of the appeal and popularity of surfing is that you can do it for free. Grab a swimsuit and surfboard and you’re in business all day, enjoying a free ride on the ocean waves. Now, thanks to San Diego Surf School, located at 4850 Cass St. in Pacific Beach, kids will also be able to compete in a fun surfing contest — for free.

Registration is ongoing for the third annual San Diego Surf School Surf Contest set to take place on the waves off the end of Law Street in Pacific Beach on Saturday, Oct. 27. Plenty of prizes will be up for grabs when the event starts at 7:30 a.m. and runs until around 4 p.m.

“We wanted to give kids a chance to try out surfing competition and see if they like it,” said Andy Drum, manager of the San Diego Surf School. “A lot of families have supported us over the years and this is a great way for us to give back to the community. The event is getting bigger every year.”

Surfboards and wetsuits will be provided if youngsters don’t have their own and organizers expect up to 200 young surfers to compete. Age divisions will include: Super Groms (5 to 7 years old), Groms (8-10), Youth (11-13) and Juniors (11-17).

“The younger kids can have their parents assist them in the water,” said Drum. “We provide a stress-free atmosphere to make it really fun for everyone.”

Prize raffles will be ongoing throughout the event, including Sun Diego gear and hats, T-shirts, bracelets, sunglasses and other items. Food will be donated by the French Gourmet restaurant, Einstein Bagels, Turquoise and Which Wich sandwich shop. Woodstock Pizza will award free pizza for a year to each division winner.

“We enjoy holding this event to see kids take their surfing to the next level,” said Drum.

For more information about the contest, call (858) 205-7683, or sign up online at www.sandiegosurfschool.com.